Monthly Archives: April 2011
imitating grace
Ephesians 4:17-32. We are no longer the old selves. The old selves were alienated from God, corrupt on the inside and callous, carnal, and covetous on the outside. We must put off those old selves and put on the … Continue reading
Posted in church, forgiveness, grace, holiness, hope, sanctification, truth, witness
Tagged Ephesians 4
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grace given to each one of us
Ephesians 4:1-16. Jesus made all believers one. We have the unity of the Spirit, and are called to one destiny. Walking in a manner worthy of that calling requires: Keeping the peace by bearing with one another: accepting our differences … Continue reading
Posted in church, divisions, grace, Holy Spirit, ministry, spiritual gifts
Tagged Ephesians 4
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the stewardship of God’s grace
Ephesians 3. Preaching to the Gentile Ephesians the gospel of God’s grace was a great privilege for Paul. He gladly accepted the dishonor of being imprisoned and mistreated for that cause. He considered the work a gift of God’s grace … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, gospel, grace, Holy Spirit, ministry, perseverance, suffering
Tagged Ephesians 3
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but God’s grace
Ephesians 2. We were lost, but God’s grace has saved us! We were dead in trespasses and sins, but God’s grace has made us alive together with Christ (1-5). We were incapable of bringing glory to God, but God’s grace … Continue reading
Posted in adoption, dependence upon God, grace, relationship with God, the cross
Tagged Ephesians 2
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to the praise of his glorious grace
Ephesians 1. The hope of a slave, living in Ephesus in the first century was that he might somehow win his redemption and become part of the great and powerful society in which he was a mere servant. A significant … Continue reading
boasting in the cross
Galatians 6. Paul was motivated by what Christ did for the Galatians on the cross. He said “far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified … Continue reading
resurrection or restoration?
Isaiah 26-27. Is Isaiah promising resurrection here, or merely the restoration of Israel? He uses language of physical resurrection: “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise.You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew … Continue reading
not silent
Psalm 115. God is there, and he is not silent, even though Israel’s enemies see him as non-existent because he is not represented by an idol. By making some noise — blessing and praising the LORD we can show that … Continue reading
being led by the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-26. Paul tells the Galatians to walk by the Spirit. That means letting the Holy Spirit be the controlling power in their motivations, and the deciding influence in their actions. That is being led by the Spirit (18), which … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, grace, Holy Spirit, sanctification, will of God
Tagged Galatians 5
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the gospel for the free
Galatians 5: 1-15. What does standing in freedom look like? Paul had told the Corinthians “faith, hope, and love abide” (1 Corinthians 13:13). To abide is to remain, to stand firm. A person who is trusting in God and not … Continue reading
Devotions 